Geat for umbrellas.



No. 69|',o53. Patented 1an. I4, 1902..

S. S. FRETZ.

GEAT FUR UMBRELLAS. (Application med my 1s. 1901.) (No Model.)

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32567 n l W4 a limitan Sterns lidstaat* @mirent SAMUEL S. FRETZ, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

@EAT FR UMBRELLAS.

SPECIIEICA'LIQN forming part of Letters Patent No. 691,058, dated January 14, 1902.. Application filed May 13, 1901.. Serial No. 59.962. (No inodeh) .To @ZZ ww'nt it may conceit# l Be itknown that I, SAMUEL S. FRETZ, aeitizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Hinges for Umbrella Ribs and Stretchers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the hinge between the rib and stretcher of umbrella-frames.

It has for objects providing a better side bearing than has heretofore been possible to the stretcher, forming a closer fit than has hitherto been attained between the bearingsurfaces at the side of the stretcher and the bearing part on the inside of the groove of the rib, and thus making a more rigid frame, and at the same time by avoiding piercing the rib on more than one side to make the rib stronger at the point of junction with the stretcher than in former structures.

The objects are attained by the device below described.

Figure l is a plan view of the rib and stretcher on an enlarged scale. Fig. 2 is a cross-section on line a: a: of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a similar cross-section of a modification.

The rib A is the ordinary paragonnib. Around this rib is the lap B.l It passes around the outside of the rib, and the ends 2 2 are folded into the inside of the groove of the rib A, forming a dat bearing-surface on either side of the portion of the stretcher inserted between them. These portions 2 of the lap are supported rmly by the side walls 3 3 of the rib, but, however, with an elastic support, allowing them to yield slightly under a severe twist and go back again into position by the springing of the highly-elastic material formingthe Walls 3 3 of the rib. Between theinside surfaces of the ends 2 2 is inserted the flattened end 4 of the stretcher. This end is preferably large enough and so shaped that it will be slightly elastically clamped by the side walls of the rib and will provide a fairly extensive side bearing surface in contact with the inside of the ends 2 2 of the lap.

Now it will readily be seen that if a rivet passes through both of the side walls 3 3 of the rib A and is secured to them in the usual manner these walls cannot spread, and if the rivet is tightly put in, as it should be,

they are fixed at a constant distance from each other and all power of elastic support for the lap, and consequently of elastic bearing for the stretcher, prevented. Hence the hinge where the rivet passes through both side walls of the rib is absolutely unyielding, and in case of a sudden strain the frame is permanently twisted. I obviate this by my construction. I penetrate one side wall 3 of the rib A with the hole 6, making the holes 5 and 7 in the portions of the lap folded around that part of the rib registering with the hole 6. Through the holes 5, 6, and 7 is inserted the pin D, which also passes through the end of the stretcher and through a hole 8 in the end 2 of the lap folded inside of the side wall of the rib opposite the one pierced with the hole6andisabuttedagainstthiswall. Theend of the pin D is enlargedin practice this being done by the abutting-and thus secured to the end 2 of the lap. I generally make this hole in the end ofthe lap larger than the hole in the stretcher and cause the enlargement of the end of the pin to lie principally within this hole and the pin to be held in place by the end being jammed against the sides of the hole 8, the enlarged end thus forming a collar to aid in preventing the end of the stretcher from moving along the pin.

It will be seen from the above description that the two opposite walls ofthe rib are not in any way bound to each other and are free to yield slightly upon a severe strain. By reason of this the stretcher can be fitted much more closely than hitherto had dared to be done when a strain would, unless there was sufficient lost motion to allow it to have some play, cause a permanent bending of some part. This is especially the case in stretchers of the variety Where the end of the stretcher is inserted into the rib-groove and has to be strengthened by a rigid piece of material inserted in the end. In the case of this invention, on the other hand, since the lap will readily yield, the stretcher will simn ply slightly shift the lap to which it is se cured,and the walls of the rib will yield slightly and will spring back, pushing back the lap into its original position when the strain is removed. In addition to this the piercing of only one wall does not weaken the intact wall, and the rib remains stronger, especially on IOO the side which under my construction is not as much strengthened by the lap as the other.

In Fig. 3 is shown a form of my device Where the pin D is abntted against the inside of end l2 of the lap B instead of against the inside of the side Wall of the rib A and is provided With a slight collar 15, if necessary, outside the end of the stretcher C.

I-Iaving now described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination of a paragon-rib; a lap surrounding said rib, and having its ends lying inside of and against the inside of the side Walls of the rib; a iiat end stretcher, having the flat end inserted between the ends of the lap and fitting against the same; and a pin penetrating one side Wall only of the rib and vthrough the lap and the stretcher, whereby the side Walls of the rib are left free to spring toward and away from each other; substantially as described.

2. The combination of a paragon-rib; a lap surrounding said rib and having its ends lying inside of and against the inside of the side Walls of the rib; a fiat end stretcher, having the at end inserted between the ends of the lap, one of the side Walls of the rib and theportions of the lap lying at either side of it being provided with holes, and the end of the lap lying opposite thereto having a hole therein somewhat larger in diameter than the hole through the stretcher; and a pin passing through these' holes and having an enlarged end fitting the enlarged hole in the last-named end of the lap; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

SAMUEL S. FRETZ.

Witnesses:

M. W. COLLET, GEO. W. REED. 

